Getting around in Goa
Traveling in Goa is easy and one cannot find it difficult to get around. The local buses and government-run Kadamba Transport Service (KTC) run on all routes. Besides bus transport, there is the public ferry services operating at major points in Goa.
Goa is easily reachable by air, sea and land. Flights, both national and international enter the state. Several chartered airlines touch down at Goa’s Dabolim airport that connect to other parts in India and abroad. There are direct charters that come in from UK, Germany and other places. These flights that operate from mid October to April every year and fly out from Birmingham, Gatwick, Manchester to Goa.
Be aware that the bus transport is non-existant after 8.30pm at night. However, there are private taxis, motor-cycle taxis, and auto rickshaws (a three-wheeler scooter) who charge different fare rates depending on the distance. It is advisable to ask around and be aware what the fare rates are.
VISA Requirements
Every foreign national coming in to India should have a visa. Those arriving on a tourist visa should be aware of its validity of six months from the date of issue. You also have the option to apply for a single entry or a multiple-entry visa, while the same rates apply to both. In case you plan on visiting a neighboring country to India, you might want to go in for a multiple-entry visa. Those holding a multiple-entry visa may leave the country any number of times during the visa validity. Five-year visas are available to foreigners of Indian Origin, business travelers, and students. For details, you may contact the nearest Indian embassy in your country.
If you wish to extend your stay beyond six months, you may have to leave the country and apply for a new visa. At this time, you may visit a neighboring country while you avail of your new visa. Europeans will need a letter of recommendation to go to Katmandu (Nepal). This process should take about a week.
Foreigners Registration
Foreigners entering India on a visit visa valid for more than 180 days are required to register themselves at the nearest foreigner’s registration office in Goa, Panjim Police Station within 15 days upon the arrival. Registration is done only once during the validity of the Indian visa. If you are holding a multiple visas, you can leave the country any amount of times during the validity of the Indian visa.
Foreigners on a single-entry visa wishing to extend their stay in Goa can approach the Foreigners Registration officer along with a passport, air ticket, 3 passport-size photographs, and a request letter in triplicate explaining the reason for the extension. On being granted an extension, you will be issued a Registration Certificate that you should carry at all times. On departure from India, this certificate must be handed over to the International Airport Immigration officer after your departure has been sanctioned by the Foreigners Registration office.
Toll-Free Numbers
Police Station 100
Ambulance Services 102
Fire emergency services 101
Foreign Consulate Offices
Austrian Honorary Consulate in Goa, India
Mr Dattaraj V. Salgaocar, Honorary Consul
Telephone: (+91) 832 254 18 11 / (+91) 832 254 11 90
Email: auscongoa96@gmail.com
German Honorary Consulate in Goa, India
Mr Dean Wilfried Lopes de Menezes, Honorary Consul
Telephone: (+91) 83 2243 0793
Email: goa@hk-diplo.de
Italian Honorary Vice Consulate in Goa, India
Shrinivas V. Dempo, Honorary Vice-Consul
Telephone: (+91) 832-244 1300
Email: shrinivas.dempo@dempos.com / vcitaly.noella@dempos.com
South Korean Honorary Consulate in Goa, India
Mr Prasanth Vasant Joshi, Honorary Consul
Telephone: (+91) 98 2212 0599
Email: praindia1@gmail.com
Portuguese Consulate General in Goa, India
António Chrystêllo Tavares, Consul General
Telephone: (+91) 832.24 21 524 / 5
Email: goa@mne.pt / consulado.goa@mne.pt
Russian Honorary Consulate in Goa, India
Mr Victor M. Albuquerque, Honorary Consul
Telephone: (+91) 83 2222 3220
Email: russianconsulgoa@gmail.com
British Consulate in Goa, India
Telephone: (+91) 832 663 6800 / (+91) 22 6650 2222
Email: consular.goa@fcdo.gov.uk
ABOUT GGCI
Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) is Goa’s premier non-profit business, support-services and networking organization. We represent and liaise with SME’s, Corporate Organisations and Government bodies.
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GOA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
Narayan Rajaram Bandekar Bhavan, T.B. Cunha Road, Panaji, Goa